eNotes
November 13, 2023Updates from the ECTA Center
2023 IDEA Part B, Section 619 National Survey
The results are available from the Part B, Section 619 National Survey 2023. This 39-question survey was sent to Part B, Section 619 Coordinators in the 60 states and entities in July 2023. The questionnaire, co-created by the Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), covered these seven topic areas: state administration, funding, eligibility, services, preschool least restrictive environment (LRE), early childhood systems, and personnel. Highlights include:
- There were 54 respondents: all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and three entities (Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands).
- Most 619 coordinators are in the Department of Education, either with or co-located with, a Special Education or Early Learning unit.
- Most states use almost all of the Part B eligibility categories for preschool special education eligibility.
- In 9 states, children may receive 619 services at age 2 (or a specified age between 2 and 3) if they will turn 3 during the school year. Some states have enacted the Part C Extension Option, which allows children served in Part C and eligible for 619 to continue to receive Part C services beyond age 3.
Think Inclusive Podcasts
Two November podcasts on Think Inclusive will feature interviews with leaders in early childhood education and inclusive practices for learners in early childhood settings. Valerie Williams, Director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) will share her insights on November 16. On November 30, Lori Miranda from Palm Beach Public Schools will be the speaker. The Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE) produces Think Inclusive and works to build bridges between families, educators, and people with disabilities to advocate for inclusive education. This series is a partnership between ECTA and Think Inclusive.
New ECTA Learning Community: Early Childhood Personnel Solutions
Early Childhood Personnel Solutions, a learning community (LC) that began October 10, 2023, provides a space to share innovative strategies to attract, prepare, and retain early intervention and early childhood special education personnel and service providers. State-level participants in the LC include IDEA Part C Coordinators and Part B, Section 619 Coordinators. The content of the calls is organized around OSEP's Prepare, Attract, Retain framework and informed by the upcoming National Synthesis of Innovative Practices in Recruitment and Retention of EI/ECSE Personnel led by ECTA. Topics will range from recruitment and retention approaches, cross-sector partnerships, and strategies. The LC meets the second Tuesday of every other month 3:00 - 4:00 PM Eastern US time. Contact paula.grubb@unc.edu for more information.
Resource Reminder for Upcoming SPP/APR Development
The Part C and Part B SPP/APR Checklists and Tips support states in annually preparing their SPP/APRs. The checklists are organized by indicator and the fields as they appear in the SPP/APR submission platform. This format helps states determine if all required fields have been completed. The tips help ensure all relevant instructions are addressed for each indicator. The 2024 SPP/APR package is now posted alongside other important OSEP Resources for Grantees.
Announcements
Secretary Cardona and Friends Celebrate National Parent Involvement Day
Parents are their children's first teachers, and the U.S. Department of Education supports the power of parent partnership with educators as a key lever for the success of every child. Therefore, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will celebrate these powerful partnerships on National Parent Involvement Day, November 16, 7:00 PM EST. This webinar event is a call-to-action for parents and caregivers, educators, family engagement practitioners, state and local leaders, and organizations that support effective family engagement. Registration is required to attend the webinar.
News from the Field
Critical Questions for Addressing Racial Equity in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education
A new resource from the Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy) helps states examine equity issues when providing early intervention (EI) and early childhood special education (ECSE) services. Critical Questions for Addressing Racial Equity in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education are policy and programmatic questions that help states identify disparities in their service delivery system. Many of the questions are also relevant at the local level. They are divided into these three sections: child and family questions; practitioner questions; and early intervention service (EIS) program and lead education agency (LEA) questions. The answers to the questions support the long-term goal of equitable access, services and supports, and positive outcomes for all young children and their families, especially the historically underserved.
Research
Secure attachment to both parents - not just mothers - boosts children’s healthy development
A 29-member research consortium found that mothers and fathers are equally important in raising children and setting them up for optimal developmental trajectories. Children who simultaneously had secure attachment relationships with their mothers and fathers were likely to experience fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. These children were also likely to exhibit better language skills than children with one or no secure attachment relationships within their intact, two-parent families. These findings highlight the critical need to adjust policy and early intervention efforts to support the parent couple and potentially other configurations of stable caregivers - not just mothers.